From
Wheat Straw to High-Value Composites
| Principal Investigator |
Dr. Marie-Pierre G. Laborie |
| Start
Date
Completion Date |
July 1, 2003
January 14, 2006 |
| Mission |
Developing the technology to produce straw-based medium
density fiberboards to reduce the need for field burning while
developing alternative and high value uses for wheat straw.
|
Problem Addressed
Wheat straw composites have been manufactured with isocyanate adhesives
which are expensive and therefore do not allow for economical competitiveness
of those composites compared to wood composites. This project attempts
to develop the technology of wheat straw composites using urea-formaldehyde
adhesives, a much more economical adhesive which up to this point
has not been successfully used to bond wheat substrates.
Goal
The project aims at developing a technology for the
production of straw-based Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF) with
Urea-formaldehyde adhesives.
Implications
If a technology can be developed that allows for the
use of wheat straw and UF resins in the manufacture of MDF composites,
then these products would have economical advantages over their
wood-based counterpart. With the high availability of straw residues
in the Northwest, this high value alternative to field burning would
generate income and permit a cleaner environment.
Procedures
- The approach consisted of pre-treating the straw to circumvent
the issues that prevent good bonding of UF resins with straw.
Specifically, treatments have been attempted to eliminate the
waxy cuticle of the straw and also to eliminate the high silica.
- With disc refining of water soaked straw, MDF composites could
be manufactured with UF resins and the mechanical properties of
the product were all above the requirements for MDF in interior
applications. Yet, the water swelling values were still higher
than those required by the standard and therefore further attempts
at modifying the resin with wax need to be performed.
Publications/Journal
Articles From Project
Publications in refereed journal articles, as well
as paper presentations at professional meetings of economists will
be pursued.
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